Help..vtm4 light - Honda Pilot

Ddemedeiros · 08-08-2011, 01:48 PM

I am having issues with my 2003 Honda pilot, just recently I took it to a transmission shop because the VTM4 light as well as the engine is on. However, the shop said that it wasn't a transmission problem. He told me to go ahead and drive it with the light on, however now it seems like it's misfiring, as well as the idling seems like it keeps going off and now there are some loud noises. I was told that it could be my egr valve? Anyone have any info on this matter.

Thanks,
d

theirishscion · 08-09-2011, 02:18 AM

Spend the bucks and have the codes read. The computer knows why it's unhappy, all you have to do is ask. The dealership can read the codes, though it'll cost you an arm and a leg. Many independent shops now also have the ability to read all the Honda codes, not just the regular OBDII ones.

roarkrd · 08-09-2011, 02:37 AM

If you find a good dealer they will usually add the cost of reading the codes into the repair so you don't have to pay for both.

ocall0 · 03-01-2012, 09:38 AM

I have a 2003 Pilot with 246,000 km with this problem just starting for me. In my case, the VTM-4 light never comes on from cold and does not usually come on until the engine is warm. It does come on when the engine is warm but the transmission is cold (e.g. remote start in driveway, warming up but not driven… not even shifted out of park). Once the engine is warm the light is much more likely to come on. Turning off and restarting will solve the problem, but in some cases the light immediately comes back on, or very quickly thereafter. In some cases, the light does not come back on. The light appears to come on more often when the engine is idling or not under load. The light appears to come on when the engine revolutions are declining, e.g. coasting to a stop, or when transmission shifts up and revolutions drop, or when coming up behind a slower moving vehicle and letting up on the gas. The light comes on whether the gas tank is full or near empty. The farther you drive (… warmer vehicle gets?) the more likely the light is to come on. That said, there are often periods of several days where the vehicle is driven and the light does not come on. The vehicle starts perfectly (even from very cold) and the engine runs smoothly, pulls strongly and does not hesitate or misfire at any time. There is no apparent correlation between the engine performance and when the light comes on… other than it appears to occur more often when engine is coming OFF load. The light has never come on when accelerating or driving at higher RPMs (e.g. on the 401). I have relaced the EGFR valve and cleaned that system out as much as possible, but I am now exploring other options... I had the transmission rebuilt about 20,000 km ago but I need to confirm that they changed the "differential" oil at that time, otherwise, I am looking for any help or suggestions. Thanks.

theirishscion · 03-01-2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocall0

I have a 2003 Pilot with 246,000 km with this problem just starting for me.

Sounds like the car is just begging to have codes read. There are independent Honda specialists who can read those codes for less than a dealer will charge you, as can the transmission shop who did your rebuild (who might be willing to read it for free, since you just spent a tonne of money on getting that rebuilt)

At any rate, since the car knows what it is unhappy about, it seems like a good plan to find out and go from there.

94eg! · 03-01-2012, 12:48 PM

Why the hell did you bump every VTM4 thread in the entire forum? How are people supposed to give you help and advice over 20 different threads.

Just grab a paper clip and read the codes yourself. Stick the paper clip in the DLC by the drivers right knee (as shown in this picture). Then switch the ignition to the "ON" position and watch all the lights start blinking:

This link shows you how to understand the blinks (long blinks are 10's & shorts are 1's), and has the definition for all check engine light blink-codes:

K20Tuned LLC*::*DC5/EP3 Codes

Here is a link to the VTM light blink-codes:

http://rsgear.com/articles/2006_12.pdf

And here is a link to show the Transmission "D" light blink-codes:

flashing shift indicator

Write down all your codes and come back to THIS thread and let us know.

08-08-2011, 01:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ddemedeiros Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Campbell, ca Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Help..vtm4 light I am having issues with my 2003 Honda pilot, just recently I took it to a transmission shop because the VTM4 light as well as the engine is on. However, the shop said that it wasn't a transmission problem. He told me to go ahead and drive it with the light on, however now it seems like it's misfiring, as well as the idling seems like it keeps going off and now there are some loud noises. I was told that it could be my egr valve? Anyone have any info on this matter. Thanks, d

08-09-2011, 02:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
theirishscion Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 717 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Spend the bucks and have the codes read. The computer knows why it's unhappy, all you have to do is ask. The dealership can read the codes, though it'll cost you an arm and a leg. Many independent shops now also have the ability to read all the Honda codes, not just the regular OBDII ones. __________________ 2011 Touring 4x4 RES, Dark Cherry Pearl & Beige "The HDMI Wagon"

08-09-2011, 02:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
roarkrd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 208 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you find a good dealer they will usually add the cost of reading the codes into the repair so you don't have to pay for both. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX-L: Sage Brush Pearl 2008 Honda Pilot EX-L: Steel Blue Metallic 2002 Honda CR-V EX Auto: Eternal Blue Pearl Totaled on 2/9/11 @ 100,700 miles - Spun out on the snow/ice covered highway and collided with the cable barriers.

03-01-2012, 12:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
94eg! Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 642 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Why the hell did you bump every VTM4 thread in the entire forum? How are people supposed to give you help and advice over 20 different threads. Just grab a paper clip and read the codes yourself. Stick the paper clip in the DLC by the drivers right knee (as shown in this picture). Then switch the ignition to the "ON" position and watch all the lights start blinking: This link shows you how to understand the blinks (long blinks are 10's & shorts are 1's), and has the definition for all check engine light blink-codes: K20Tuned LLC::DC5/EP3 Codes Here is a link to the VTM light blink-codes: http://rsgear.com/articles/2006_12.pdf And here is a link to show the Transmission "D" light blink-codes: flashing shift indicator Write down all your codes and come back to THIS thread and let us know. Last edited by 94eg!; 03-01-2012 at 12:53 PM.

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03-01-2012, 09:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
ocall0 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a 2003 Pilot with 246,000 km with this problem just starting for me. In my case, the VTM-4 light never comes on from cold and does not usually come on until the engine is warm. It does come on when the engine is warm but the transmission is cold (e.g. remote start in driveway, warming up but not driven… not even shifted out of park). Once the engine is warm the light is much more likely to come on. Turning off and restarting will solve the problem, but in some cases the light immediately comes back on, or very quickly thereafter. In some cases, the light does not come back on. The light appears to come on more often when the engine is idling or not under load. The light appears to come on when the engine revolutions are declining, e.g. coasting to a stop, or when transmission shifts up and revolutions drop, or when coming up behind a slower moving vehicle and letting up on the gas. The light comes on whether the gas tank is full or near empty. The farther you drive (… warmer vehicle gets?) the more likely the light is to come on. That said, there are often periods of several days where the vehicle is driven and the light does not come on. The vehicle starts perfectly (even from very cold) and the engine runs smoothly, pulls strongly and does not hesitate or misfire at any time. There is no apparent correlation between the engine performance and when the light comes on… other than it appears to occur more often when engine is coming OFF load. The light has never come on when accelerating or driving at higher RPMs (e.g. on the 401). I have relaced the EGFR valve and cleaned that system out as much as possible, but I am now exploring other options... I had the transmission rebuilt about 20,000 km ago but I need to confirm that they changed the "differential" oil at that time, otherwise, I am looking for any help or suggestions. Thanks.

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